A FRIENDLY CHAT.

Motueka Star, Volume II, Issue 93, 4 July 1902, Page 4

A FRIENDLY CHAT.

“ D’you call these Brussels sprouts, young man—in the basket, I mean ?* “ That’s the name they go by, mother.” . “ Thought perhaps they was walnuts by their color,” remarks the thin armed lady casually. “ Your ’andling 'em don’t improve their appearance,” retorts the stallkeeper. “Leave ’em if you don’t want to pirchis. “ And what might you ave the impidence to ask for a pound for ’em, I should like to know ?” Price is mentioned with the definite manner of one who is prepared to give up life and honor and everything rather than budge a halfpenny. “ Does the sum include the barrow ?” Answer given gloomily that the sum does not include the barrow, and the question added, “ What is the thin armed lady a gettin’ at ?” “ You keep ’em young man,” says the thin armed lady with some fierceness. “You take ’em ’ome and light the fire with ’em. I wonder you can look me in the face and ask me sich a price.” “ I wants some kerridge,” admits the proprietor, “to look you in the face. Takes years off a man’s life to do it.” “ Good morning,” says the lady, shivering with politeness, “and I wish you better manners.” “ Good morning,” says the proprietor, not to be out done in courtesy, “ and I wish you a new set of features.” What is gratifying to note is that, after this active passage at arms, and when the thin armed lady is almost lost in the slowly moving crowd, the proprietor relents and shouts—- “ ’Ere y’are. You gels always gets your own way.” And the thin armed lady comes back through the crowd and buys a pound and a half ot Brussels sprouts, and buyer and seller part on the friendliest terms. —1.0. U.